Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Bees provide important pollination services that contribute to nearly one third of our food supply. Honey bees in particular provide the majority of pollination to crops; however, due to their declines, it is imperative to understand native bee ecology to provide them with suitable habitat and reduce potential pollination deficits caused by fewer honey bees. Furthermore, many agroecosystems become a food desert for bees after crop bloom. Bumble bees are important native pollinators in a variety of pollination dependent crops due to their abundance and ability to buzz pollinate. The commercial availability of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens and Bombus huntii) in the United States offers an alternative to honey bees in many crop systems. Unfortunately, their foraging ecology is poorly understood, especially in regards to foraging range and nesting density. Illuminating basic questions such as foraging range can shed light on unknown factors plaguing native bee populations such as realistic forage availability and rate of pathogen spread, which can help us better inform conservation practices in agroecosystems. The target audience for this research are growers and other invested in growing pollinated crops, conservationists, land managers, and researchers. Changes/Problems:The major problem encountered in 2019 was related to colony losses in the feeding experiments. In Logan colonies housed in a greenhouse experienced high mortality of workers and queen part way through the experiment when the cooling system in the greenhouse faileddue to a power outage. We were able to replace some of the colonies, but our sample sizes were smaller than anticipated. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student and technician members of the project attended an international workshop to learn about experimental methods with colleagues interested in bumblebee research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through the BOMBUSS 2.0 workshop, through publication of peer reviewed papers, and through participation in scientific society meetings. Working with cooperators in Paradise, UT we established a pollinator provision strip at a local orchard and trained staff in proper establishment, care, and maintenance of these sites. PI Strange presented to group of 100 researchers at the BOMBUSS 2.0 workshop in Toronto, Canada in October 2019 on methods for tracking bumble bees for research. Three members of the Isaacs lab also attended the BOMBUSS 2.0 workshop in Toronto, Canada and provided a lightning talk on the Bombus impatiens feeding trial from this project. Two graduate students working with Kohler made a presentation titled, "Bumble Bee Foraging Range Study" in a Mathematical Biology Seminar in the Mathematics and Statistics Department at Utah State University (Oct 23, 2019). Presentations: Rowe, L., Graham, K. K., Hagler, J. R., Strange, J. P., & Isaacs, R. (2018, November). Pollen resource use and foraging range of Bombus impatiens in Michigan farm landscapes. Poster presentation at The Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America meeting, Vancouver, Canada. November, 2018. Walters, J., and Perkins, J. (2019). Colony level resource requirements of Bombus impatiens using a combination of cage and field experiments. Lightning talk at BOMBUSS 2.0. Toronto, Canada. October, 2019. Hagler, J.R. 2019. Super Mark It! Using immunomarking methods to track insect movement and feeding activity. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri. Invited departmental seminar. Hagler, J.R. 2019. Super Mark It! Using immunomarking methods to track insect movement and feeding activity. Department of Entomology and Nematology. University of Florida. Invited departmental seminar. Hagler, J.R. 2019. Untangling the food web arthropods weave using a universal food immunomarking technique. International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) symposium held at the ESA National Meeting, St. Louis, MO. Invited keynote address in honor of being awarded as the 2019 IOBC-NRS Distinguished Scientist. Hagler, J.R. Super Mark It! 2020. Using immunomarking methods to track insect movement and feeding activity. Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science, NMSU. Invited departmental seminar. Postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic. Hagler, J.R. Flight of ideas: Protein immunomarking to study arthropod dispersal and feeding behavior. 2020. Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America Meeting, Spokane, WA. Invited Plenary Lecture. Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. Hagler, J.R. 2020. A universal food immunomarking technique (UFIT) for studying arthropod feeding activities. 2020 International Conference of Entomology. Helsinki, Finland. Invited symposium presentation. "Rethinking invertebrate food webs in agricultural landscapes: a global endeavor." Postponed until July, 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Field sampling was completed on the forage transects and sprayed plots in Logan, UT, thus completing the transects at both sites. Samples were sent to USDA in Maricopa, Arizona for analysis for the presence of the protein mark. A protein-specific ELISA was conducted on every field collected bee. These data were analyzed (scored positive or negative for the presence of the mark) and returned to the PI (Strange) and Co-PI (Isaacs). Kohler's group developed computational models and simulations for the purpose of exploring various techniques for estimating nest densities based on samples collected on a linear transect and over an irregular spatial grid. We wrote and tested R code for estimating nest locations. Using NetLogo, we developed a variety of simulations to implement different foraging strategies and quantify nutrient collection from different patch qualities. The R code and NetLogo simulations are summarized in technical reports written by the students. Additionally, we developed a framework for applying linear programming to investigate bumble bee selection of patches for foraging. (Following M. Mangel and C. Clark, Dynamic Modeling in Behavioral Ecology, Princeton University Press,Princeton, NJ, 1988.) Feeding trials of Bombus huntii and Bombus impatiens were completed in Logan and East Lansing, respectively. These experiments sought to quantify the amount of forage provisioning a bumble bee hive needs to support itself over its lifespan and to reproduce. During these trials, we were able to determine the pollen and sugar water (nectar) consumed over the life of individual colonies and count worker and reproductive output (males and new queens) produced by each colony. Despite some problems with colony mortality, usable data was generated and allowed us to calculate the average pollen cost (grams) per worker, male and new queen produced per colony. The information gleaned from this study provides a better understanding of the nutritional energy requirements of growing bumble bee hives. In the future we can hopefully use this information to determine how the size of wildflower plantings will affect bumble bee colonies from a population perspective, eventually leading to the development of improved bumble bee conservation programs. The initial project goal is now complete and a manuscript summarizing the findings from these feeding trials is currently in progress. Bumble bee foraging distance studies using B. impatiens were conducted at three locations in SW Michigan. At each location, a blooming wildflower enhancement was sprayed using a protein marker, and the proportion of bumble bees foraging at the planting was estimated from foragers returning to colonies placed along a transect away from the planting. These samples were analyzed by the Hagler Lab in Arizona. In addition, and at each site, foraging B. impatiens were collected to estimate bumble bee colony density in the local surrounding habitat. Approximately 100 foragers were collected up to a 1.5km radius around each planting, and the samples sent to the Strange Lab in Utah. Results from these studies will inform models of foraging distance and colony density in heterogenous landscapes and support ongoing efforts to understand bumble bee population dynamics in farm landscapes.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Jessica L Mullins, James P Strange, Amber D Tripodi, Why Are Queens Broodless? Failed Nest Initiation Not Linked to Parasites, Mating Status, or Ovary Development in Two Bumble Bee Species of Pyrobombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus), Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 113, Issue 2, April 2020, Pages 575581, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz330
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Natalie K Boyle, Amber D Tripodi, Scott A Machtley, James P Strange, Theresa L Pitts-Singer, James R Hagler, A Nonlethal Method to Examine Non-Apis Bees for Mark-Capture Research, Journal of Insect Science, Volume 18, Issue 3, May 2018, 10, https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iey043
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Boyle, N.K., Machtley, S.A., Hagler, J.R., Pitts-Singer, T. 2018. Evaluating the persistence of fluorescent and protein powders on adult blue orchard bees, Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), for mark-capture studies. Apidologie. 49(3):378-385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-018-0564-4.
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Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Bees provide important pollination services that contribute to nearly one third of our food supply. Honey bees in particular provide the majority of pollination to crops; however, due to their declines, it is imperative to understand native bee ecology to provide them with suitable habitat and reduce potential pollination deficits caused by fewer honey bees. Furthermore, many agroecosystems become a food desert for bees after crop bloom. Bumble bees are important native pollinators in a variety of pollination dependent crops due to their abundance and ability to buzz pollinate. The commercial availability of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens and Bombus huntii) in the United States offers an alternative to honey bees in many crop systems. Unfortunately, their foraging ecology is poorly understood, especially in regards to foraging range and nesting density. Illuminating basic questions such as foraging range can shed light on unknown factors plaguing native bee populations such as realistic forage availability and rate of pathogen spread, which can help us better inform conservation practices in agroecosystems. The target audience for this research are growers and other invested in growing pollinated crops, conservationists, land managers, and researchers. Changes/Problems:COVID-19 has impacted the final year of research, creating problems in communicating with students and other researchers. Extra efforts are being made to move forward and complete research. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have been able to virtually attend scientific meetings. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has impacted travel and ability to visit other labs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations have been postponed due to COVID-19. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Field sampling was completed on the forage transects and sprayed plots in Logan, UT, thus completing the transects at both sites. Samples were sent to USDA in Maricopa, Arizona for analysis for the presence of the protein mark. A protein-specific ELISA was conducted on every field collected bee. These data were analyzed (scored positive or negative for the presence of the mark) and returned to the PI (Strange) and Co-PI (Isaacs). Kohler's group developed computational models and simulations for the purpose of exploring various techniques for estimating nest densities based on samples collected on a linear transect and over an irregular spatial grid. We wrote and tested R code for estimating nest locations. Using NetLogo, we developed a variety of simulations to implement different foraging strategies and quantify nutrient collection from different patch qualities. The R code and NetLogo simulations are summarized in technical reports written by the students. Additionally, we developed a framework for applying linear programming to investigate bumble bee selection of patches for foraging. (Following M. Mangel and C. Clark, Dynamic Modeling in Behavioral Ecology, Princeton University Press,Princeton, NJ, 1988.) Feeding trials of Bombus huntii and Bombus impatiens were completed in Logan and East Lansing, respectively. These experiments sought to quantify the amount of forage provisioning a bumble bee hive needs to support itself over its lifespan and to reproduce. During these trials, we were able to determine the pollen and sugar water (nectar) consumed over the life of individual colonies and count worker and reproductive output (males and new queens) produced by each colony. Despite some problems with colony mortality, usable data was generated and allowed us to calculate the average pollen cost (grams) per worker, male and new queen produced per colony. The information gleaned from this study provides a better understanding of the nutritional energy requirements of growing bumble bee hives. In the future we can hopefully use this information to determine how the size of wildflower plantings will affect bumble bee colonies from a population perspective, eventually leading to the development of improved bumble bee conservation programs. The initial project goal is now complete and a manuscript summarizing the findings from these feeding trials is currently in progress. Bumble bee foraging distance studies using B. impatiens were conducted at three locations in SW Michigan. At each location, a blooming wildflower enhancement was sprayed using a protein marker, and the proportion of bumble bees foraging at the planting was estimated from foragers returning to colonies placed along a transect away from the planting. These samples were analyzed by the Hagler Lab in Arizona. In addition, and at each site, foraging B. impatiens were collected to estimate bumble bee colony density in the local surrounding habitat. Approximately 100 foragers were collected up to a 1.5km radius around each planting, and the samples sent to the Strange Lab in Utah. Results from these studies will inform models of foraging distance and colony density in heterogenous landscapes and support ongoing efforts to understand bumble bee population dynamics in farm landscapes.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Boyle, N.K., Machtley, S.A., Hagler, J.R., Pitts-Singer, T. 2018. Evaluating the persistence of fluorescent and protein powders on adult blue orchard bees, Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), for mark-capture studies. Apidologie. 49(3):378-385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-018-0564-4.
|
Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:? Bees provide important pollination services that contribute to nearly one third of our food supply. Honey bees in particular provide the majority of pollination to crops; however, due to their declines, it is imperative to understand native bee ecology to provide them with suitable habitat and reduce potential pollination deficits caused by fewer honey bees. Furthermore, many agroecosystems become a food desert for bees after crop bloom. Bumble bees are important native pollinators in a variety of pollination dependent crops due to their abundance and ability to buzz pollinate. The commercial availability of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens and Bombus huntii) in the United States offers an alternative to honey bees in many crop systems. Unfortunately, their foraging ecology is poorly understood, especially in regards to foraging range and nesting density. Illuminating basic questions such as foraging range can shed light on unknown factors plaguing native bee populations such as realistic forage availability and rate of pathogen spread, which can help us better inform conservation practices in agroecosystems. The target audience for this research are growers and other invested in growing pollinated crops, conservationists, land managers, and researchers. Changes/Problems:The major problem encountered in 2019 was related to colony losses in the feeding experiments. In Logan colonies housed in a greenhouse experienced high mortality of workers and queen part way through the experiment when the cooling system in the greenhouse failed due to a power outage. We were able to replace some of the colonies, but our sample sizes were smaller than anticipated. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student and technician members of the project attended an international workshop to learn about experimental methods with colleagues interested in bumblebee research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through the BOMBUSS 2.0 workshop, through publication of peer reviewed papers, and through participation in scientific society meetings. Rowe, L., Graham, K. K., Hagler, J. R., Strange, J. P., & Isaacs, R. (2018, November). Pollen resource use and foraging range of Bombus impatiens in Michigan farm landscapes. Poster presentation at The Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America meeting, Vancouver, Canada. November, 2018. Walters, J., and Perkins, J. (2019). Colony level resource requirements ofBombus impatiensusing a combination of cage and field experiments. Lightning talk at BOMBUSS 2.0. Toronto, Canada. October, 2019. Hagler, J.R. 2019.Super Mark It! Using immunomarking methods to track insect movement and feeding activity. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri. Invited departmental seminar. Hagler, J.R. 2019. Super Mark It! Using immunomarking methods to track insect movement and feeding activity. Department of Entomology and Nematology. University of Florida. Invited departmental seminar. Hagler, J.R. 2019. Untangling the food web arthropods weave using a universal food immunomarking technique.International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) symposium held at the ESA National Meeting, St. Louis, MO. Invited keynote address in honor of being awarded as the 2019 IOBC-NRS Distinguished Scientist. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In 2020 we will complete laboratory analyses where data gaps exist (e.g., where molecular tests must be repeated) analyze the data we have gathered and prepare presentations and publications related to this project. Further, the models/foraging simulations developed by PI Kohler will be finalized.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Field sampling was completed on the forage transects and sprayed plots in Logan, UT, thus completing the transects at both sites. Samples were sent to USDA in Maricopa, Arizona for analysis for the presence of the protein mark. A protein-specific ELISA was conducted on every field collected bee. These data were analyzed (scored positive or negative for the presence of the mark) and returned to the PI (Strange) and Co-PI (Isaacs). Kohler's group developed computational models and simulations for the purpose of exploring various techniques for estimating nest densities based on samples collected on a linear transect and over an irregular spatial grid. We wrote and tested R code for estimating nest locations. Using NetLogo, we developed a variety of simulations to implement different foraging strategies and quantify nutrient collection from different patch qualities. The R code and NetLogo simulations are summarized in technical reports written by the students. Additionally, we developed a framework for applying linear programming to investigate bumble bee selection of patches for foraging. (Following M. Mangel and C. Clark, Dynamic Modeling in Behavioral Ecology, Princeton University Press,Princeton, NJ, 1988.) Feeding trials of Bombus huntii and Bombus impatiens were completed in Logan and East Lansing, respectively. These experiments sought to quantify the amount of forage provisioning a bumble bee hive needs to support itself over its lifespan and to reproduce. During these trials, we were able to determine the pollen and sugar water (nectar) consumed over the life of individual colonies and count worker and reproductive output (males and new queens) produced by each colony. Despite some problems with colony mortality, usable data was generated and allowed us to calculate the average pollen cost (grams) per worker, male and new queen produced per colony. The information gleaned from this study provides a better understanding of the nutritional energy requirements of growing bumble bee hives. In the future we can hopefully use this information to determine how the size of wildflower plantings will affect bumble bee colonies from a population perspective, eventually leading to the development of improved bumble bee conservation programs. The initial project goal is now complete and a manuscript summarizing the findings from these feeding trials is currently in progress. Bumble bee foraging distance studies using B. impatiens were conducted at three locations in SW Michigan. At each location, a blooming wildflower enhancement was sprayed using a protein marker, and the proportion of bumble bees foraging at the planting was estimated from foragers returning to colonies placed along a transect away from the planting. These samples were analyzed by the Hagler Lab in Arizona. In addition, and at each site, foraging B. impatiens were collected to estimate bumble bee colony density in the local surrounding habitat. Approximately 100 foragers were collected up to a 1.5km radius around each planting, and the samples sent to the Strange Lab in Utah. Results from these studies will inform models of foraging distance and colony density in heterogenous landscapes and support ongoing efforts to understand bumble bee population dynamics in farm landscapes.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Boyle, N., A.D. Tripodi, S.A. Machtley, T.L. Pitts-Singer, J.P. Strange, and J.R. Hagler. 2018. A nonlethal method to examine non-Apis bees for mark-capture research. Journal of Insect Science. 18(3): 10; 1-6.
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Progress 06/01/18 to 05/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?PIs Strange, Isaacs, and Hagler and a graduate student supported by the grant attended the Entomologicla Society of America annual meeting in Vancouver, BC in November 2018. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through a presentatio at the ESA annual meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Final field season of data collection for Objective 1 and 2 are currently underway and should be completed by September 2019. Samples will be processed by PI Hagler. Data will be deliverd to PI Kohler by December 2019 and model construction should be completed by the term of the grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In Michigan and Utah, by PIs Isaacs and Strange respectively, bumble bee foraging experiments were conducted under Objective 1 of the grant. Bees were collected and samples were processed at the Maricopa Lab under the supervision of PI Hagler. In total 36 colonies of Bombus huntii and Bombus impatiens were sampled. Objective 1 is now 50% complete. Objective 2 and 3 are each 25% complete with the completion of 2018 field data. PI Kohler has trained an undergraduate and recruited a graduate student to assess the Objective 2 needs and analyze the data form Objective 1. Model parameters are being evalated.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Rowe L., M. Ward, K. Graham, M. Killewald, J. Hagler, J. Strange, R. Isaacs (2018) Pollen resource use and foraging range of�Bombus impatiens�in Michigan farm landscapes. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
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Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Our major obstacle was that the award was made too late in 2017 to begin the field collection of bees and to complete our hiring of the needed field crew. Thus wechose to focus on the methods development and move the first field sampling to 2018. We do not anticipate this to delay completion of the project at this point. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The projectfunded PI Kohler to attend a mathematics for pollination biologost workshop at the Field Insitiute in Toronto in February 2018. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Summer 2018 we will bee deploying nests of B. huntii and B. impatiens in UT and MI, respectively. We will conduct research to accomplish substantial proportions of Obectives 1, 3, 4 and 5. This will include protein marking bees at forage plots (established in 2017), collecting bees to test for nesting density on the landscape, quantifying the parameters for the models in objectives 4 and 5.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Becasue funding arrived too late to begin bee manipulations during the past year, we focused on establishing the forage plant plots on farms. Two forage strips were planted in UT and two plots were established in MI. Additionally, PIs Hagler and Strangeworked to develop the protein marking system in AZ. As Objective 2 and 3 require Objective 1 developmentand the establishement of the forage plots and protein marking we have nothing additional to report. Objective 4 and 5. We have constructed rudimentary models for these two objectives, determined methods so that we may parameterize the models and tested the basic models for function. We are currently processing data on colony size which will be used as one parameter, including modeling variance within the study species for this parameter.
Publications
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